Pele

In Polynesian mythology, Pele is the fire goddess of Hawaii. A powerful
and destructive
deity,
she is said to live in the crater of the volcano of Kilauea on the big
island of Hawaii. Perhaps the best-known deity of Hawaii, Pele appears in
many myths and legends.

Like many figures in Polynesian mythology, Pele is a great traveler. She
came to Hawaii from the island of Tahiti, but the reasons for her trip
vary. Some myths say that she fled Tahiti to escape the anger of her older
sister, whose husband she had stolen. In other stories, she was driven
from Tahiti by a great flood or went to Hawaii simply because she wished
to travel.

Pele's arrival in the Hawaiian Islands was accompanied by mighty volcanic
eruptions. She visited various islands looking for a place to live, but
the sea constantly flooded the sites she chose for a home. She finally
found refuge in the volcano of Kilauea.

Once settled in Kilauea, Pele traveled to a neighboring island and fell in
love with a young chief named Lohiau. After returning home, Pele sent her
young sister Hi'iaka to fetch the chief. She gave Hi'iaka
supernatural
powers, which the young woman used to overcome various obstacles during
the journey.

When Hi'iaka arrived at the home of Lohiau, she found that the young chief
had died of a broken heart caused by his longing for Pele. Hi'iaka caught
his spirit and used her magical powers to restore him to life. Meanwhile,
Pele became impatient, imagining that her sister had stolen Lohiau's love.
The enraged Pele sent a stream of lava that killed Hopoe, the dearest
friend of Hi'iaka.

deity
god or goddess

When Hi'iaka finally brought the young chief to Kilauea, she learned of
the death of Hopoe. Grief stricken, she embraced Lohiau, whom she had come
to love. Pele saw this and sent more lava to kill Lohiau. Protected by her
magical powers, Hi'iaka later restored Lohiau to life again and went to
live with him on his home island.

According to Polynesian stories, the powerful and destructive fire
goddess Pele lives in the volcano of Kilauea on the island of Hawaii.

*
See
Names and Places
at the end of this volume for further information.

Many other legends deal with Pele's fiery temper and reveal how
unpredictable and dangerous she could be. In some myths, she also appears
as a water goddess who caused the seas to encircle the islands of Hawaii.
Both Pele and Hi'iaka are considered
patrons
of magic and sorcery as well as of the hula, the ancient sacred dance of
Hawaii.